6.001 BF158

Antispila metallella

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

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Wingspan 8-9 mm.

A small bronzy metallic species with paler metallic markings, this species is distributed throughout most of England, and can be locally common in places.

The larvae make blotch-mines in leaves of the foodplant, dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), and when fully grown, cut out a small oval to form a pupating case. The combination of mine and cut-out is very distinctive.

The adults fly in the daytime during May, preferring sunny weather.